JP3201384B2 - Key switch device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a key switch device, and more particularly to a key switch device suitable for use in a thin keyboard attached to a notebook type word processor, a notebook type personal computer or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a key switch device used for this kind of keyboard, a key top integrally having a key stem is inserted into a holder portion formed on a holder plate to guide and support the key top, and is provided below the key stem. A key switch device provided with a switching member is generally used. Such a key switch device slides and guides the up and down movement of a key stem via a holder, and presses a switching member by a lower portion of the key stem to perform a switching operation.

A key switch device using a large key top such as a space key and a return key includes:
In order to prevent the key top from being pressed in an inclined state when the key top is pressed, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 60-62017, 64-7441 and U.S. Pat.
A key switch device described in JP-A-33,225 is known.

A key switch device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Sho 60-62017 supports a key top on two scissors-like members intersecting in a scissor-like manner with a shaft and separates the key top from the center of the key top. The switching member is arranged at the position. When the key top is pressed, a plurality of pins formed at the end of each scissor-like member are horizontally slid and guided, and the key stem provided on the back surface of the key top is moved up and down via the holder. The switching member is depressed by the key stem while the sliding member is being guided.

The key switch device described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Sho 64-7441 has the same basic configuration as the key switch device described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Sho 60-62017. The feature is that the key top can be easily attached and detached.

US Pat. No. 4,433,225 discloses a key switch device provided with an L-shaped key top. This key switch device has a scissor-like member in which the center of the arm is connected by a shaft. Such scissors have first, second, third and fourth ends, the first and second ends of which are horizontally oriented within the traveled portion of the L-shaped keytop. It is slidable. However, since the key switch portion is located at a place different from the scissor-like member, the key switch portion alone cannot be realized as a key switch device, and a key stem and many other components are required, which complicates the structure.

The key switch device described in each of these publications, even if it is a large key such as a space key or any part of the key top, is depressed and moved up and down while maintaining the horizontal state of the key top. Can guide you. As described above, the key switch devices described above have a common feature in that, in each case, the key stem for pressing the switching member is vertically guided through the holder portion while the switching member is pressed by the key stem. I have.

On the other hand, Japanese Unexamined Utility Model Publication No. Hei 2-5236 discloses a key switch device which does not include a key stem and a holder which are slidably guided in a vertical direction. This key switch device includes two rectangular frames, and the two frames intersect in an X-shape to form a key top support member. A projection projecting downward is provided at the center of the lower surface of the keytop, and the projection is configured to press a rubber spring as a switching member. Also in this key switch device, similarly to the above-described key switch device, even if any part of the key top is pressed, the key top can be lowered while keeping the key top horizontal without tilting the key top.

[0009]

However, in recent years, as word processors and personal computers have become smaller and thinner, keyboards attached to them have also been made smaller and thinner. On the other hand, a large stroke is required to improve the operability of key input and ensure the reliability of key input. Under such circumstances, there is a problem that a sufficient key stroke cannot be obtained with the above-described commonly used key switch device.

In such a commonly used key switch device, if an attempt is made to reduce the thickness of the keyboard, the portion of the key stem slidably guided by the holder portion is reduced, resulting in the tilting of the key top. As a result, twisting occurs between the key stem and the holder. vice versa,
To prevent this, there is a dilemma that if the portion where the key stem is slid and guided by the holder is enlarged, the key stroke is reduced.

Here, if a twist occurs between the key stem and the holder portion when the key top is pressed down, this causes a sliding noise and significantly impairs the operability of the key. Further, the twisting between the key stem and the holder is unlikely to occur when the center of the key top is constantly depressed because the key stem is depressed vertically. Therefore, in order to prevent the occurrence of such twisting, it is conceivable to reduce the operation area of the key so that the center of the key top is always depressed, but also in this case, the operability of the key is significantly impaired. There is no difference from the above.

Further, the key switch devices described in the above publications do not particularly aim at reducing the thickness of the keyboard. Therefore, it is necessary to provide a pressing member for pressing the switching member so as to protrude downward from the keytop, which causes a problem that it is difficult to reduce the thickness. Further, there is a problem that the structure of the key switch device is complicated due to the necessity of forming a pressing member on the back surface of the key top, which causes an increase in cost and also makes assembly thereof difficult.

In particular, in the key switches of the types described in the above publications, the key top is urged upward via a spring member. Therefore, it is desirable that the ascending position of the keytop be restricted when the keytop is not pressed down. On the other hand, the key top is guided and supported by a link structure including two link members, and the upper end of each link member and / or
Alternatively, the lower end portion is slidably locked in a sliding groove of a sliding locking portion formed on a support plate supporting the key switch, and in such a case, the upper end portion of each link member is pressed when the key top is pressed down. When the lower end portion abuts on the end portion (wall portion) of the sliding engagement portion, bending stress is applied to the link member, which may decrease durability and cause breakage or the like. In the pressed state, it is desirable that the upper end and the lower end of each link member do not abut on the end of the sliding engagement portion.

However, in the key switch described in each of the above publications , the locking relationship between the upper and lower ends of each link member and the sliding locking portion of the support plate in the non-pressed state and the pressed state of the key top is described. Nothing is suggested or disclosed, and there is no provision for a configuration for restricting the ascending position of the keytop when the keytop is not depressed, and a configuration for preventing breakage of the link member or the like when the keytop is depressed. Absent.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and eliminates the need for a configuration in which a key stem is slid up and down by a holder portion. It can be kept large, and the top of the rubber spring is key-topped
Or, by securely contacting the guide support member, the circuit
Even if the board is arranged on the lower surface of the holder member, the circuit
Elastic restoring force of the rubber spring arranged on the upper surface of the substrate
To the key top and urge the key top upward.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a key switch device capable of:

[0016]

In order to achieve this object, a key switch device according to the first aspect of the present invention has a first locking mechanism on a lower surface.
And a key top in which a portion and a second locking portion are formed.
It is arranged below the top and diagonally opposite the first locking portion.
The third locking portion at the position and the fourth locking at a diagonal position of the second locking portion.
Part of the holder member and the upper end of the key top
1 is rotatably locked to the locking portion, and the lower end portion of the holder member is
A first link member slidably locked to the third locking portion , and
And the upper end is slidably locked to the second locking portion of the key top
The lower end is rotatably engaged with the fourth locking portion of the holder member.
Has a second link member to be stopped, and moves the key top up and down.
Guiding support members for guiding and key tops are urged upward
Switch as the key top moves up and down.
Key switch including a switching member for performing a switching operation.
Switch device, wherein the switching member comprises a holder portion.
A circuit board having an electrical contact portion disposed below the material,
To turn on the electrical contacts on the circuit board,
Bullets arranged on the upper surface of the circuit board so as to cover above the point
Inverted cup-shaped rubber spring with restoring force
The upper end of the rubber spring is attached to the holder member.
To contact the key top or the guide support member
In addition, a through-hole that projects upward from the holder
It is characterized by being provided .

[0017]

According to the key switch device of the present invention, when the key top is not pressed down, the key top is urged upward by the rubber spring and held upward. When the keytop is pressed from the non-pressed state of the keytop, the keytop descends against the urging force of the rubber spring. As the keytop descends, the guide support
The upper end of the first link member in the member of the key top first
1 Rotate at the locking part, and the lower end is
3 Slide at the locking part, and the upper end of the second link
-While sliding at the second locking part of the top, the lower end is
It rotates at the fourth locking portion of the rudder member. As described above, when the key top is lowered, the rubber spring is elastically deformed, and the electric power of the circuit board disposed below the holder member is reduced.
A switch operation is performed at the contact portion .

At this time, a through hole is formed in the holder member.
From the through hole to the top of the holder member.
Protrudes the upper end of the rubber spring arranged on the upper surface of the plate
The upper end of the key with the key top or guide support member.
Can be in contact. Therefore, the circuit board is a holder member.
Even if it is arranged on the bottom of the board, it is arranged on the top of the circuit board
Of elastic restoring force of rubber spring to key top
It reached it is possible to bias the key top to the top side in.

When the keytop is released from being depressed, the keytop is urged upward by the rubber spring, and the urging force causes the keytop to move upward while being supported by the guide support member. To return to the original position.

[0020]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention; 1 to 3 show a first configuration of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of the key switch device. In FIG. 1, a key top 1 is molded from a synthetic resin such as an ABS resin, and letters such as alphabets are formed on the upper surface by printing or the like. Also,
From the back surface of the key top 1, a rotation locking portion 2 and a sliding locking portion 3 are provided integrally with the key top 1 body downward.

The first locking pins 13 and 14 formed at one end of one of the two link members 7 and 8 to be described later are rotatably locked to the rotation locking portion 2. The sliding locking portion 3 has a second locking pin 23 formed at one end of the other link member 8.
A locking groove 5 for locking the slide 24 in the horizontal direction is formed.

Below the key top 1, a guide support member 6 for guiding and supporting the vertical movement of the key top 1 is provided. The guide support member 6 is composed of two link members 7, 8.

One link member 7 is, as shown in FIG.
Two base ends 10 and 11 are integrally formed at both ends of the base 9. From one side of the central part of the base 9, the shaft 1
The shaft 12 is supported by a shaft hole 20 formed in the other link member 8 described later.

As shown in FIG. 1, the first locking pins 13 and 14 and the second locking pins 15 and 16 of the link member 7 are arranged in a straight line about the shaft 12 and at a distance from the shaft 12. Are configured to be equal. Also , the link member 8
The first locking pins 21 and 22 and the second locking pins 23 and 24 are arranged in a straight line with the shaft hole 20 as a center, and the distances from the shaft hole 20 are equal.

[0025] Then, these two link members 7 and 8, in a state where the connecting shaft 12 and the shaft hole 20 rotatably, bent to be convex upward in a position below the base end portion 11 and 18 I have. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1, since it is configured to have a large space below the shaft support portion A,
A rubber spring 31 having a substantially trapezoidal shape in a side view, which will be described later, can be efficiently stored under the shaft support A.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the thickness of the distal ends of the upper base ends 10, 19 of both link members 7, 8 is reduced. For this reason , even when the key top 1 is pressed, the upper base ends 10, 19 and the lower base ends 11, 18 of the link members 7, 8 may come into contact with each other during the pressing of the key top 1. Absent. Therefore, the key top 1 is configured such that the pressing operation is not hindered in the middle and a key stroke can be sufficiently secured.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the link member 7
Is the first from the side surface of the extended end portion 10A of the upper base end portion 10.
Locking pins 13 and 14 are extended, and the first locking pins 13 and 14 are rotatably engaged with the locking holes 4 formed in the rotary locking portion 2 of the key top 1 described above. It will be stopped. Further, the lower base end portion 11 is formed in a U-shape in plan view, and the same second locking pins 15 and 16 as described above are extended from the side surfaces of the U-shaped both end extending portions 11A. . The second locking pins 15 and 16 are slidably locked by sliding locking portions 26 formed on a holder member 25 described later.

Further, as shown in FIG.
The upper and lower base ends 18 and 19 are integrally formed at both ends of the base 17. The shaft hole 2 is provided at the center of the base 17.
The shaft 12 provided on the base 9 of the link member 7 is inserted into the shaft hole 20 as described above. Also,
The lower base end portion 18 is formed in a U-shape in plan view, and first locking pins 21 and 22 extend from the U-shaped both end extending portions 18A. The first locking pins 21 and 22 are rotatably locked to a rotation locking portion 27 formed on a holder member 25 described later.

Further, second locking pins 23, 24 similar to the above are extended from both end extending portions 19A of the upper base end portion 19. The second locking pins 23, 24 are connected to the key top 1 described above. Are slidably locked in locking grooves 5 formed in the sliding locking portion 3.

As described above, the guide support member 6 is constructed by inserting the shaft 12 formed in the base 9 of one link member 7 into the shaft hole 20 formed in the base 17 of the other link member 8. The two link members 7 and 8 are mutually rotatable via a shaft support A formed by the shaft 12 and the shaft hole 20.

Next, a holder member 25 is provided below the guide support member 6, and a second locking member extending from the lower base end 11 of the link member 7 on the holder member 25. A sliding locking portion 26 and a rotation locking portion 27 for locking the pins 15 and 16 and the first locking pins 21 and 22 extending from the lower base end portion 18 of the link member 8, respectively. Is provided.

The sliding locking portion 26 is formed integrally with the holder member 25 in a convex shape and is provided with a long hole-shaped locking groove 28. Two locking pins 15, 16 are slidably locked in the horizontal direction. Similarly to the sliding locking part 26, the rotation locking part 27 is integrally formed in a convex shape from the holder member 25 and has a locking hole 29 provided therein. The first locking pins 21 and 22 of the member 8 are rotatably locked.

In the above-described configuration, the rotation locking portion 2 and the holder member 25 formed on the back surface of the key top 1 existing on the left side in FIG. 1 with respect to the perpendicular L passing through the center of the shaft support portion A.
Is formed with a locking hole 4 and a locking hole 29 for rotatably locking the first locking pins 13, 14 and 21, 22 respectively. Become. Further, a second locking part 3 is formed on the back surface of the key top 1 and a sliding locking part 26 formed on the holder member 25 on the right side of the perpendicular L in FIG. Stop pin 2
The locking grooves 5 and the locking grooves 28 for locking the slides 3, 24, 15, and 16 slidably in the horizontal direction are provided.

Below the holder member 25, a flexible circuit board 30 on which a predetermined circuit pattern (not shown) including a switch electrode is formed, and a switching member is provided at a position corresponding to the switch electrode as a switching member. A rubber spring 31 is mounted. The rubber spring 31 has a well-known movable electrode inside, and a shaft supporting portion A that supports the two link members 7 and 8 so as to be rotatable with each other is opposed to a central portion of the upper surface thereof. Be placed.

When the key support 1 is pressed down and the shaft support A moves downward, the shaft support A presses the rubber spring 31. When the pressing amount exceeds a certain limit, the rubber spring 31 buckles. And rubber spring 31
The switch electrode is short-circuited by the movable electrode inside.

Further, a switch support plate 32 is provided below the flexible circuit board 30, and the switch support plate 32 is a guide support member that supports the flexible circuit boards 30, the rubber springs 31, and the key tops 1 described above. Supports 6.

Next, the operation of the key switch device having the above configuration will be described. When the key top 1 is pressed down, the first locking pins 13 and 14 of the link member 7 are moved counterclockwise in the locking holes 4 of the rotation locking portion 2 as the key top 1 moves downward. with pivots, the second locking pin of the link member 8 23, 24 slides in the horizontal direction (right direction in FIG. 1) in the locking groove 5 of Suridogakari stop portion 3. At the same time, the first locking pins 21 and 22 of the link member 8 rotate clockwise in the locking holes 29 of the rotation locking portion 27 of the holder member 25, and the second locking of the link member 7 is performed. pins 15 and 16 slide in the horizontal direction (right direction in FIG. 1) in the locking groove 28 of Suridogakari stop portion 26.

As a result, the shaft supporting portion A which supports the link members 7 and 8 with each other moves downward and gradually presses down the rubber spring 31, and when the pressing amount exceeds a certain limit, the rubber spring 31 is pressed. The spring 31 is buckled.
Thereby, the movable electrode in the rubber spring 31 short-circuits the switch electrode on the flexible circuit board 30, and a predetermined switching operation is performed.

When the key top 1 is released from being depressed, the shaft supports A of the link members 7 and 8 are pushed upward by the elastic restoring force of the rubber spring 31. Accordingly, the first locking pins 13, 14, 21, 22 and the second locking pins 15, 16, 23, 24 perform the reverse operation, and as a result, the key top 1 It returns to its original position.

Here, the first locking pins 13, 14, 21,
The key top 1 does not move in the horizontal direction and only rotates in the locking holes 4 and 29, respectively. Therefore, the key top 1 does not move in the horizontal direction, so that it may collide with an adjacent key. However, the key top 1 is moved up and down while maintaining the horizontal state of the key surface.

The rubber spring 31 has a substantially trapezoidal shape in side view as described above, and the angle of the side surface resulting from the length and height of the upper base and the lower base is determined according to the desired key touch. . The height of the trapezoid, that is, the height of the rubber spring, is determined according to the keystroke, and a higher one is preferred. However, in view of the thickness of the entire device, it is obvious that this rubber spring cannot be so large.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, a large space can be taken below the shaft support A by bending both link members 7 and 8 as described above. Therefore, in the present embodiment, both link members are substantially straight when viewed from the side, as disclosed in JP-A-60-62017 or JP-A-64-2017.
As compared with the key switch device described in Japanese Patent No. 7441, a thinner and larger key stroke can be obtained.

As described above, the thickness of the distal ends of the upper base ends 10, 19 of both link members 7, 8 is reduced in side view, so that the key stroke operation is not hindered halfway. Sufficient stroke can be secured.

As described in detail above, in the key switch device according to the present embodiment, the shaft supporting portion A for supporting the two link members 7 and 8 mutually is disposed at a position corresponding to the rubber spring 31 and the key supporting device A is provided. The rubber spring 31 is depressed via the shaft support A. Therefore, a configuration in which the key stem is guided by the key holder portion unlike the conventional key switch device can be completely eliminated, and a key switch device that does not require a special configuration for pressing the rubber spring 31 can be realized.

As a result, the key stroke can be increased in accordance with the thinning of the keyboard, so that the key operability is good and key input can be performed reliably, and the key top 1 having a simple structure can be used. A low cost key switch device can be provided. In particular, in the key switch device according to the present embodiment, the configuration in which the key stem is guided by the key holder portion can be completely eliminated, so that
Unlike the conventional key switch device, no sliding noise occurs between the key stem and the key holder when the key is pressed, and it is necessary to reduce the key operation area and press the center of the key. Sex is completely lost.

Further, in the key switch device according to the present embodiment, each first locking pin 13 locked in the locking hole 4 of the rotation locking portion 2 and the locking hole 29 of the rotation locking portion 27 is provided. , 14, 21,
Reference numeral 22 indicates that when the key top 1 is depressed, it only rotates in the locking holes 4 and 29 without moving in the horizontal direction.
The key top 1 is not moved in the horizontal direction. Therefore, it is possible to provide a key switch device which has good key operability and can perform key input reliably without colliding between adjacent keys.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

For example, in the present embodiment, the link member 7,
8 can of course obtain the same effect by the same kind of members combined in a pantograph shape. Further, in the present embodiment, the rubber spring 31 is pressed by the shaft supporting portions A of the link members 7 and 8, but the rubber spring 31 is pressed by the link members 7 and 8 or another member provided on the key top 1. Of course, the same effect can be obtained.

Next, a second configuration of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
This will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of the key switch. The key switch 101 includes a key top 102 and a first key switch.
A guide support member 103 in which a link 104 and a second link 105 are arranged in a scissors shape in a side view;
Rubber spring 106 in a cap shape pressed at 3
12, a holder 107 made of synthetic resin for supporting the guide support member 103, and a switching portion 129 (FIGS. 12 and 13) provided in a mounting hole 107A of the holder 107.
(See FIG. 1), and a flexible circuit board 109 stretched on the lower surface of the holder member 107 and a reinforcing plate 110 stretched on the lower surface side.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 12, the rubber spring 106 is connected to a switching portion (electric contact portion) 129 of the flexible circuit board 109 (see FIG. 13).
So that the mounting hole 10 of the holder member 107 is
7A is inserted and arranged. The rubber spring 106 of the present invention is made of an electrically insulating silicone rubber or E.
A thick disk-shaped thick head 106A made of PDM (ethylene propylene diene methylene) or the like, a truncated cone-shaped dome extending downward from the periphery of the head, and an outer periphery of the dome. It is integrally formed into a downwardly open cap comprising a thick flange portion extending substantially horizontally and radially outward. When the keytop 102 is pressed, the first link 104
The lower surface of the head 106A of the rubber spring 106, which is pressed by the pressing portion between the first and second links 105, comes into contact with the contact portion of the switching portion 129 so that both switching portions 1
A movable contact portion 130 made of conductive rubber having conductivity for electrically turning ON / OFF the 29 is fixed. In addition,
The rubber spring 106 may be formed so as to have conductivity by dispersing and filling conductive particles such as carbon black in silicone rubber.

The key top 102 formed of a synthetic resin such as an ABS resin is provided with characters such as numerals, letters and the like on the upper surface (surface) by engraving or printing. On the lower surface of the key top 102, the front and rear for locking the second locking pins 111A and 111B at the upper base end of the first link 104 to be described later in a substantially horizontal direction so as to be slidable in the front and rear direction of the key top 102. A long groove-shaped sliding locking portion 116 and a first locking pin 113A, 1 at the upper base end of the second link 105;
A pair of left and right locking members 117 integrally provided with a hole-shaped rotation locking portion 115 for locking the 13B so as to be rotatable only is integrally molded or bonded with an adhesive or the like. (See FIG. 6).

[0052] FIG. 7 (A), with reference to (B) and 8 to 10, illustrating the synthetic resin of the first link 104 and second link 105, such as a glass fiber reinforced synthetic resin in detail. FIG. 7A is a plan view of the first link 104, and FIG.
FIG. 4B is a plan view of the second link 105. The first link 104 is formed integrally with the base 118 and the upper and lower bases 119 and 120 into a substantially H shape in plan view. A support hole 121 is formed laterally on the side surface of the base 118,
Arm 120 extending from both left and right ends of lower proximal end 120
A, the first locking pin 112A on the side of 120B,
112B is protruded sideways, and second locking pins 111A and 111B are protruded sideways on the side surface of the upper base end portion 119.

The second link 105 is also formed integrally with the base 122 and the upper and lower bases 123 and 124 in a substantially H-shape in plan view. A pivot shaft 125 protrudes laterally from one side surface of the base 122, and the pivot shaft 125 is connected to the first shaft.
It is rotatably fitted into the support hole 121 of the link 104. On the side surfaces of the arm portions 124A, 124B extending from both left and right ends of the lower base end portion 124 of the second link 105, second locking pins 114A, 114B are respectively provided to protrude sideways, and are provided on the side surfaces of the upper base end portion 123. Is the first locking pin 113
A and 113B protrude sideways.

In this embodiment, a side view (FIG. 4,Figure5,Figure
8,Figure9,Figure10,Figure14) In the first link
104 of the first locking pins 112A, 112B and the support holes 12
The first and second locking pins 111A and 111B are located on a straight line.
And support holes from the first locking pins 112A and 112B.
Distance to 121 and whether the second locking pin 111A, 111B
And the distance from the support hole 121 to the support hole 121 are equal.
It is. Also, the first locking pin 11 of the second link 105
3A, 113B, pivot 125 and second locking pin 114
A, 114B are located on a straight line and the first locking pin
The distance from 113A, 113B to the pivot 125 and the second
Distance from locking pins 114A, 114B to pivot 125
The distance is set to be equal. This configuration
Then, as described later, the first link 104
1 Guide support portion around the locking pins 112A and 112B
When the material 103 is rotated and displaced, the key top 102 is moved.
Is kept parallel to the upper surface of the holder member 107.
It can also move up and down.

The base 118 of the first link 104
On the lower surface of the base 122 of the second link 105, pressing portions 131 and 132 having a downwardly convex polygonal shape are formed, respectively. The pressing portions 131 and 132 press the upper surface of the head 106A of the rubber spring 106. become.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 8 to 10, the first
Pressing portion 131 of link 104 and second link 105
The pressing portion 132 includes two flat portions 131A, 131B and flat portions 132A, 132B that are bent and connected at an obtuse angle at a substantially central portion of the lower surface of each of the base portions 118, 122. Then, the flat portions 131A and 131B, the support holes 12
1 and the flat portions 132A, 132B, the pivot 1
The positional relationship of 25 is the same (however, left-right reversed relationship).

FIGS. 12 and 13 show a part of a holder member 107 made of a synthetic resin such as a glass fiber reinforced synthetic resin. Is provided with a substantially rectangular mounting hole 107A which can be inserted without displacement.
07A, a pair of left and right rotation locking portions 127
And a sliding locking portion 128 in the form of a longitudinal groove in the front-rear direction are integrally formed by injection so that the locking portions 127 and 128 are opened downward.

Here, as shown in FIG. 13, the lower portions of the rotation locking portion 127 and the sliding locking portion 128 are open, so that they are formed between predetermined upper and lower dies. After the resin is injected into a predetermined gap to form the holder member 107, the upper die and the lower die can be simply removed vertically.
Thus, the first locking pin 112 of the first link 104
A, 112B, and a rotatable locking portion 127 for rotatably locking, and a second locking pin 114 of the second link 105.
Forming the sliding locking portion 128 for slidably locking the A and 114B on the holder member 107 does not require the use of a costly slide type, and can be formed extremely simply and at low cost. It is.

Then, the first locking pins 112A and 112B at the lower base end of the first link 104 are rotatably fitted into the rotation locking portion 127 from below, and are slidably locked. After the second locking pins 114A and 114B at the lower base end of the second link 105 are inserted into the portion 128 so as to slide back and forth from below, the flexible circuit board 109 is mounted on the lower surface of the holder member 107. Stretch and fix.

At this time, since the lower portions of the rotation locking portion 127 and the sliding locking portion 128 are open, the rotation locking portion 12
7 and a second locking pin 114 locked to the sliding locking portion 128
A and 114B are respectively rotated and slid while being placed on the upper surface of the circuit board 109. Accordingly, the first locking pins 112A and 112B and the second locking pins 114A and 114B can be locked within the thickness of the holder member 107, and the effective use of the thickness of the holder member 107 is achieved. The thickness of the key switch 101 can be reduced.

As shown in FIG. 11, the left and right movement of the key top 102 in FIG. 11 is caused by the second locking pins 111A and 111 of the first link 104 and the second link 105.
B, 114A and 114B move in the left and right directions by sliding engagement portions 116 and 12 of key top 102 and holder member 107.
8 or the first locking pins 113 of the first link 104 and the second link 105.
A, 113B, 112A, and 112B move in the left-right direction by the rotation locking portion 1 of the key top 102 and the holder member 107.
It is suppressed by being locked by the side surfaces of 15, 127. Therefore, since the position of the key top 102 does not move in the left-right direction in FIG. 11, even when the key top 102 is pressed, it does not collide with an adjacent key. Further, since the movement of both links 104 and 105 in the left-right direction in FIG. 11 is suppressed, the pivot shaft 125 is prevented from coming off from the support hole 121.

In FIGS. 4 and 13, the sliding groove of the sliding locking portion 128 in the holder member 107 is the front end 3.
00 and the rear end portion 301, and the key top 1 in a state where the key top 102 is not pressed downward (free state).
02 is at the highest position, the second locking pins 114A and 114B of the second link 105
Is configured to abut on the front end portion 300 of the sliding groove. Further, as shown in FIG.
The second locking pins 114A and 114B of the second link 105 slide in the sliding locking portion 128 even when the rubber spring 106 is pressed to the maximum through the guide support member 103 from the highest position. It is configured not to abut on the rear end portion 301 of the groove.

By adopting the above configuration,
When the key top 102 is not pressed, the second locking pins 114A and 114B of the second link 105 are connected to the front end 30 of the locking groove.
0 to regulate the highest position of the key top,
When the key top 102 is pressed, the second locking pin 114
A and 114B do not contact the rear end portion 301 of the locking groove, thereby preventing breakage and the like.

In addition, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a front end portion 302 and a rear end portion 303 are formed in a sliding groove of a locking member 117 provided on the lower surface of the key top 102, as shown in FIGS. When the top 102 is not pressed, the first link 10
4 restricts the highest position of the key top 102 by abutting the second locking pins 111A and 111B on the front end 302. When the key top 102 is pressed down, the second locking pin 111
A and 111B may be configured not to contact the rear end 303.

Next, the structure of the guide support member 103 is illustrated in FIG. FIG. 17A illustrates FIG. The first link 104 and the second link 105 are connected to the pivot 12
5, the shaft is supported by the shaft supporting portion C. Here, the second link 1
05 first locking pins 113A, 113B (FIG. 17A)
The distance R1 from the end P of the first link 104 to the shaft support C and the first locking pins 112A and 112B of the first link 104 (FIG. 17).
The distance R2 from the end S) of FIG.
The second locking pins 114A and 114B of the link 105 (FIG. 1)
7 (A) is configured to be equal to the distance R3 from the end T) to the shaft support C. End P, shaft support C and end T
Are configured to be points on a straight line. The ends P and S are rotatable points that do not slide in the arrow X direction in FIG. 17A, and the end P is a side view (FIG. 17A).
In arrangement configured to be a point on the perpendicular line of the end portion S. Therefore, even when the key top 102 is pressed and moves up and down, the position of the key top 102 does not move in the arrow X direction, and an accurate key stroke is secured (FIG. 1).
7 (C) at line X ).

Further, in addition to the above configuration, each end P,
Distances R1, R2, R3 from Q, S, T to the shaft support C,
R4 are all equal, and the end Q, the shaft support C and the end S
Is configured to be a point on a straight line, the key top 102 can always maintain a horizontal state during the vertical movement accompanying the key depression (described in the H row in FIG. 17C).

By the way, as shown in FIG. 18, the distance R4 from the end Q to the shaft support C is made longer than the distances R1, R2, R3 from the other ends P, S, T to the shaft support C. The key top 102 can be configured to be inclined. Also in this configuration, even when the key top 102 is pressed and vertically moved, the position of the key top 102 does not move in the arrow X direction, and an accurate key stroke is secured.

Further, according to this configuration, the key top 10
The inclination angle of 2 can be arbitrarily determined by changing the distance from the end Q to the shaft support C. For this reason, the first
By changing the distance from the end portion Q of the link 104 to the shaft support portion C, it becomes easy to give a different inclination angle to the key top 102 for each row in a curved keyboard or the like.

The distance R4 from the end Q to the shaft support C
Are the distances R1, R from the other ends P, S, T to the shaft support C.
2. Even if it is shorter than R3, the key top 10
Of course, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which 2 is inclined.

FIG. 17B is a diagram illustrating FIG. With reference to this figure, it will be described that the key top 102 does not move in the directions of the arrow Y and the arrow R in FIG. 17B.

First locking pin 1 of both links 104 and 105
The movement in the direction of arrow Y of 12A, 112B, 113A, 113B is locked by the side surfaces of the rotation locking portions 115, 127 of the key top 102 and the holder member 107, or the second engagement of the links 104, 105. Stop pin 111A,
The movement of the key top 102 and the holder member 107 by the sliding movement of the key top 102 and the holder member 107
6 and 128, the key top 1
02 is suppressed in the Y direction (FIG. 17C) .
Described in row Y ). Therefore, even when the key top 102 is pressed and moves up and down, the position of the key top 102 does not move in the arrow Y direction, and an accurate key stroke is secured ( Y row in FIG. 17C). described in).

Each locking pin 111A, 111B, 1
12A, 112B, 113A, 113B, 114A, 1
The movement of the key top 102 in the direction of the arrow R is suppressed by locking the 14B by the locking portions 115, 116, 127, and 128 (described in the row R of FIG. 17C).

With this configuration, when the key top 102 is pressed, the first link 104 rotates downward (clockwise in FIG. 4) around the rotation locking portion 127 of the holder member 107 while the first link 104 rotates. The two links 105 are pivot shafts 12
4 rotates counterclockwise around the position 5. Then, at the start of pressing the keytop 102, the flat portion 131A on the lower surface of the base 118 near the lower base end 120 of the first link 104 and the base portion near the lower base end 124 of the second link 105. 122 and the flat portion 132A on the lower surface of the head portion 106 of the rubber spring 106
Pressing areas 133, 1 indicated by oblique lines in FIG.
34, and presses the rubber spring 106.

When the pressing amount of the key top 102 increases,
Between the flat portions 131A, 131B and 132A, 132
The area near the corner between B is in contact with the upper surface of the head 106A of the soft rubber spring.

When the amount of pressing of the key top 102 further increases, the flat portion 131B of the first link 104 on the side closer to the upper base end portion 119 and the flat portion 132B of the second link 105 on the side closer to the upper base end portion 123 are formed. 12 comes into contact with and presses the upper surface of the head 106A of the rubber spring 106, and the pressing regions 133 and 134 are turned upside down in FIG. 12 (the region 133 is the lower right half area of the head 106A, the region 134 Is the upper left half of the head 106A).

The third structure of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, the base 21 of the first link 204 is
8, the pressing portion 231 formed on the lower surface is formed by connecting three flat portions in a convex polygonal shape having a ridge line substantially parallel to the axis of the support hole 221. Also forms a pressing portion 232 having a similar multi-plane. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 15A, the pressing area 233 of the first link 204 and the pressing area 234 of the second link 205 at the start of pressing the keytop 102 are different from the head 10 of the rubber spring.
Although the lower half and the upper half of the upper surface of the 6A are located far apart from each other in the left and right directions, as the amount of pressing of the keytop 102 increases, both pressing areas 233 and 234 approach the center from the left and right ends (FIG. 15 (B)), and further divides toward left and right ends (see FIG. 15 (C)).

In this way, the pressing portions 231 and 23 of the first link 204 and the second link 205
By forming 2 into a downward convex convex polygon plane,
The period during which the upper surface of the rubber spring head 106A is pressed by the corners of each flat portion is shortened, and the key operation feeling, especially the tactile (ON before the electrical contact ON when the keytop is pressed)
The tactile sensation, in which the key operation resistance sometimes fluctuates rapidly, becomes good, and the key input operation can be stabilized.

Further, in accordance with the pressing input operation of the key top 102, the pressing (contact) areas on the upper surface of the head 106A move symmetrically toward the opposite sides, so that any time during the key top stalking, The head 106A of the rubber spring is moved up and down in FIG.
(Left and right sides) can be pressed substantially uniformly with a substantially symmetrical force, and buckling deformation of the rubber spring can be generated substantially simultaneously around the cap.

Note that a substrate such as a membrane switch circuit board may be used instead of the flexible circuit board 109 on which the switching section 129 is formed. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the corners are formed between the flat portions, but the flat portions may be connected with a gentle curved surface.

FIG. 16 shows the relationship between the load and the stroke when the key top is pressed. FIG. 16 (B)
Is a graph showing data of a conventional key switch device. According to this, it can be seen that when the operator presses the end portion of the key top, as compared to the case where the operator presses the center of the key top, the load applied to the operator is larger and unstable. .

FIG. 16A is a graph showing data of the key switch device of the present invention. According to this, it is understood that the load applied to the operator is almost uniform even when the operator presses any part of the key top,. This means that the key switch device of the present invention
This is to always give the operator a constant feeling for every key operation of the operator, and indicates that the operator can perform a smooth key input.

[0082]

As described above, according to the key switch device of the present invention, the upper end of the rubber spring is
Drill a through hole in the holder
Key top or rubber top.
Can reliably contact the guide support member, and
Even if the circuit board is arranged on the lower surface of the holder member,
The elasticity of the rubber spring placed on the upper surface of the circuit board
Transfer the original force to the keytop and urge the keytop upward
Can be

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of a key switch device having a first configuration.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of one link member of the first configuration.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the other link member of the first configuration.

FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of a key switch device having a second configuration.

FIG. 5 is a side sectional view showing a pressed state of a key top of a second configuration.

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the key top.

FIG. 7A is a plan view of a first link having a second configuration,
(B) is a top view of the 2nd link of the 2nd composition.

8 is a sectional view taken along the line VIII-VIII in FIG.

9 is a sectional view taken along the line IX-IX in FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along the line XX of FIG. 7;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along the line XI-XI in FIG. 4;

FIG. 12 is a plan view of a rubber spring and a mounting hole.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a mounting hole of a holder member.

FIG. 14 is a side view showing a pressing portion of a first link having a third configuration.

FIGS. 15A, 15B, and 15C are operation explanatory diagrams showing a change in a pressing area as the pressing amount increases from the start of pressing the key top of the third configuration.

16A is a graph showing the relationship between the load and the keystroke amount of the key switch device according to the present invention when the key is pressed, and FIG. 16B is a graph showing the load and the keystroke when the key is pressed in the conventional key switch device. It is a graph which shows the relationship of quantity.

17A is a diagram illustrating FIG. 4, and FIG.
FIG. 12 illustrates FIG. 12, and FIG. 12C is a table showing conditions for preventing the key top from moving in the direction of the arrow when the key is pressed.

FIG. 18 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Key top 2, 27 Rotation locking part 3, 26 Sliding locking part 4, 29 Lock hole 5, 28 Lock groove 6 Guide support member 7, 8 Link member 13, 14, 21, 22 First member Stop pin 15, 16, 23, 24 Second locking pin 25 Holder member 30 Flexible circuit board 31 Rubber spring A Shaft support L Vertical line 101 Key switch 102 Key top 103 Guide support member 104 First link 105 Second link 106 Rubber spring 107 Holder member 107A Mounting hole 109 Flexible circuit board 110 Reinforcement plate 112A, 112B, 113A, 113B First locking pin 111A, 111B, 114A, 114B Second locking pin 115, 127 Rotating locking portion 116, 128 Sliding Locking portions 118, 122 Base 121 Support holes 125 Pivot shafts 131, 13 Pressing portions 133 and 134 press area

Continuation of the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H01H 13/14 H01H 13/20 H01H 13/70

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A first locking portion and a second locking portion are formed on a lower surface.
Key top and the key top are disposed below the key top, and the first
A pair of a third locking portion and the second locking portion at diagonal positions of the locking portion;
A holder member having a fourth locking portion formed at a corner position, and an upper end portion rotatably locked to the first locking portion of the keytop.
And the lower end is slidably locked to the third locking portion of the holder member.
First link member, and the upper end of the key top
2 is slidably locked to the locking portion, and the lower end of the
A second link member rotatably locked to the fourth locking portion;
Guide support member for guiding and supporting the vertical movement of the key top
And the key top is urged upward,
Switch that performs switching operation in accordance with the
And a switching member , wherein the switching member is disposed below the holder member.
Circuit board having an electrical contact portion,
To turn on the electrical contacts, cover over the electrical contacts.
The elastic restoring force provided on the upper surface of the circuit board
An inverted cup-shaped rubber spring having an upper end portion of the rubber spring.
To contact the key top or the guide support member
In addition, a through-hole that projects upward from the holder
Key switch, characterized in that it is set.